Ship Wrecked

Chapter 17: The Dawn

Matthew picked up Emrys who was cut by the knife he was given for protection. Emrys grasped his side and felt blood spread across the palm of his hand. A day of sun trimmed the edges of the palm trees and the rustling of bushes began to subside and moved farther into the palms. Thomas broke through the growth with Noel hanging limply in his arms. Eila and Sarah both gasped and bolted over to Thomas. "Noel, Noel. Eila do your magic! Hurry," Sarah helped guide Thomas to a less destroyed hammock. "Noel! Open your eyes! Please look at me!" Eila places water across Noel's stomach. Thomas made racing stripes through his hair with his bloodied fingers.

Matthew marched over to Thomas and whispered, "Have you seen Jae? She was dragged off by a grenold." Thomas shoved Matthew aside and grasped Noel's hand. Her eyes were barely opened and she smiled. "Guys, where is Jae? I will do my best to stay awake for as long as I can. Go find Jae." She coughed again and blood sprayed out of her gut. She swallowed and Eila replied, "I will stay with her and help keep the blood down. She might leave us soon. Hurry!"

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"I got her! She is hurt pretty bad," Matthew replied as he ran into camp with Thomas on his tail. Jae was awake and shaking uncontrollably. Eila was smiling and giggling while Noel tried to make the situation seem better.Thomas was shaking his head and cursing under his breath. "Hurry, Matthew. I have to be able to say goodbye," Jae replied even though her voice was fragile as a piece of dry grass.

Matthew placed Jae down next to Noel with care. Sarah was weeping into her muddied up shirt. Jae felt for Noel's hand and grasped it.

"Noel, you have been the most sarcastic in this camp and we will miss you dearly."

"Jae, you don't have to mourn about me. Besides, you can tell people my story."

"But, it wouldn't be the same without you!"

"You're right. Nothing would be the same without me. I am the only one that will make all you guys pee your pants."

Everyone started to chuckle except for Thomas. He kept shaking his head and cursed under his breath. "Thomas. What is wrong?" Noel's voice rang in his ears and he bit his lower lip. "Noel, it is my fault that you are about to die today when someone could be a mile away from saving us." He turned his head and felt heat touch his arm. He glanced up and quickly placed his head back down. He peaked up with his eyes squinting. Noel coughed rapidly and glanced towards the Sun. "I love you all. I will be your sunin the day and your Moon at night. Don't ever forget about me." Noel dropped her head with eyes facing the Sun. Eila screamed and cried. Sarah collapsed on the ground and grasped her chest heaving in deep breaths. Jae turned and placed her head against Matthew's knee and made his leg go wet. Thomas and Matthew closed their eyes and said prayers.

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Jules glanced down and shot her head up. A hand that was brown was underneath her foot. She ran and found a bloody trail. She followed for miles. It stopped going straight and turned sharply right. She tripped over a lump in the trail. She about kicked it, but saw Zankari; dead at her feet. "No, no, no! Zankari! Come back to me! Please!" Jules collapsed and picked up the limp and lifeless body. She stroked the head and let tears touch his cheeks.

"I was going to take you back to Minuta and find a good family for you. Please Zankari don't leave me." She placed her head on his and placed a kiss on his cheek and then placed one on his forehead. "How sweet! What about me, Your Majesty?" Jules peeled away from Zankari and saw Nick holding a knife to Emrys's throat. She looked to see Emrys bound by thick vines.

"Let him go Nick! If this means anything and you stop hurting my friends and people, I will marry you!"

"Say what?"